Sanskrit; 4 Definition(s)
Introduction
Sanskrit means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, the history of ancient India. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
In Hinduism
Mīmāṃsā (school of philosophy)
Sanskrit.—According to Mīmāṃsa the meaning (artha) of Sanskrit words is intrinsic to them by their very nature and not dependant upon human agency—i.e. The meaning is not dependant upon the collective decision of people. If this were not so, we would have an “Alice in wonderland” situation where words mean whatever the speaker wants then to mean—in which case communication becomes impossible. Even if we accept this as given—there is still the compounding problem of interpretation in translation—every translator also acts wittingly or unwittingly as an interpreter of the message, and because every Sanskrit word has at least 10 different meanings every translator has interpreted the text according to their own agenda based upon:—
- svabhāva—nature
- bhūmika —level of attainment or expertise
- adhikāra —authority to interpret or to explain the subject matter.
Mimamsa (मीमांसा, mīmāṃsā) refers to one of the six orthodox Hindu schools of philosophy, emphasizing the nature of dharma and the philosophy of language. The literature in this school is also known for its in-depth study of ritual actions and social duties.
In Buddhism
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Sanskrit is considered the most important (among the 4 four great and special canonical languages) and is known as the divine language [lha’i skad], the language that all buddhas of the three times spoke in the past, are speaking in the present and will speak in the future.
Source: Kunpal: Shantideva's Bodhisattva-charyavatara
Mahayana (महायान, mahāyāna) is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sūtras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā sūtras.
General definition (in Buddhism)
Brahma letters. The classical Aryan language of ancient India, systematized by scholars. With the exception of a few ancient translations probably from Pali versions, most of the original texts in Buddhism used in China were Sanskrit.Source: Buddhist Door: GlossaryIndia history and geogprahy
Sanskrit.—Anglicised form of Saṃskṛta, the name of the sacred language of the Indians. Note: sanskrit is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Indian Epigraphical Glossary
The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.
Relevant definitions
Search found 54285 related definition(s) that might help you understand this better. Below you will find the 15 most relevant articles:
| Kala | Kāla (काल) refers to the God of “death and time” and is stationed at Kālātīta, as defined in th... | |
| Durbar Sanskrit College | Durbar Sanskrit College, Jodhpur—It was founded in the year 1883 and it became a full-fledged c... | |
| Bhava | Bhava (भव).—m. (-vaḥ) 1. Being, existing, the self-support of something already produced. 2. Bi... | |
| Cakra | Cakra (चक्र) refers to the bondage of the the rope of activities that revolves like a wheel (ca... | |
| Yoga | Yoga (योग).—m. (Pali id., PTSD s.v. 3; not in Sanskrit), bond, tie, attachment (in Pali numberi... | |
| Padma | Padma (पद्म).—(paduma) , m. or nt., (1) n. of a kind of brahmanical sacrifice: Mv ii.237.20 (pr... | |
| Sarasvati | Sarasvatī (सरस्वती), the wife of Brahmā, is one among the three goddesses known for her wisdom.... | |
| Shiva | Śiva (शिव) refers to one of the eight names of Śiva (śivanāma) and is mentioned in the Śivapurā... | |
| Patala | Paṭala (पटल).—mfn. (-laḥ-lā-laṃ) A heap, a number, a quantity or multitude. nf. (-laṃ-lī) 1. A ... | |
| Shankha | Śaṅkha (शङ्ख, “conch”) is the central object of Śaṅkhapūjā (“worship of the conch”), representi... | |
| Dhatu | Dhātu (धातु).—m. (-tuḥ) 1. A principle or humour of the body, as phlegm, wind, and bile. 2. Any... | |
| Citra | Citra (चित्र) refers to a “depiction of a painting-two dimensional” and represents a classifica... | |
| Kamala | Kamala (कमल).—n. (-laṃ) 1. A lotus, (Nelumbium speciosum or Nymphæa nelumbo.) 2. Water. 3. Copp... | |
| Jati | Jaṭi (जटि).—f. (-ṭiḥ) 1. Waved-leaf fig tree, (F. venosa:) see jaṭin. 2. Assemblage, multitude.... | |
| Sita | Sītā (सीता)is the wife of Śrī Rāma; as Śrī Rāma is an incarnation of Viṣṇu, Sītā is also a form... |
Relevant text
Search found 162 books and stories containing Sanskrit. You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)
Part 3 - The Prajñāpāramitāstotra < [Chapter XXIX - The Virtue of Wisdom]
Preliminary note (3): Explanations on the aṅgas < [Part 2 - Hearing the twelve-membered speech of the Buddha]
Understanding dharmatā: Preliminary note < [Part 2 - Understanding dharmatā and its synonyms]
The Practice Manual of Noble Tārā Kurukullā
Bodhisattvacharyavatara (by Andreas Kretschmar)
Text Section 148 < [Khenpo Chöga’s Oral Explanations]
Text Section 146 < [Khenpo Chöga’s Oral Explanations]
Text Section 136 < [Khenpo Chöga’s Oral Explanations]